He spoke of trees, from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop growing in the wall, and he taught about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish. He spoke of treesThis phrase highlights Solomon's wisdom and knowledge, which extended beyond governance and into the natural world. The Hebrew word for "trees" is "עֵץ" (etz), which signifies not only physical trees but also a broader understanding of life and growth. In the ancient Near East, trees were often symbols of life and prosperity. Solomon's ability to speak of trees indicates his deep understanding of creation, reflecting the wisdom granted to him by God. from the cedar in Lebanon
The "cedar in Lebanon" is a significant symbol in the Bible, representing strength, majesty, and durability. The Hebrew word for cedar is "אֶרֶז" (erez). Cedars of Lebanon were renowned for their quality and were used in building the temple (1 Kings 5:6). This reference underscores Solomon's comprehensive knowledge, as the cedars were highly valued and known throughout the ancient world. to the hyssop growing out of the wall
Hyssop, or "אֵזוֹב" (ezov) in Hebrew, is a small plant used in purification rituals (Exodus 12:22, Leviticus 14:4). The contrast between the mighty cedar and the humble hyssop illustrates the breadth of Solomon's wisdom, encompassing both the grand and the modest aspects of creation. The mention of hyssop growing out of the wall suggests resilience and the ability to thrive in unlikely places, symbolizing humility and purity. he also spoke of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish
This phrase indicates Solomon's extensive knowledge of the animal kingdom. The Hebrew words for animals (בְּהֵמָה, behemah), birds (עוֹף, oph), reptiles (רֶמֶשׂ, remes), and fish (דָּג, dag) reflect the diversity of God's creation. Solomon's wisdom allowed him to understand the intricacies of life, pointing to the order and design inherent in creation. This comprehensive understanding of nature is a testament to the wisdom God bestowed upon him, serving as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all living things and the divine order established by the Creator. Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonThe son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon is renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem. In this verse, his wisdom is demonstrated through his knowledge of nature. 2. Cedar of LebanonA symbol of strength and majesty, the cedar trees of Lebanon were highly valued in the ancient world for their quality and durability. They were used in the construction of Solomon's Temple. 3. HyssopA small plant used in purification rituals in the Old Testament. Its mention here contrasts with the grandeur of the cedar, showing Solomon's comprehensive knowledge from the greatest to the least. 4. Animals, Birds, Reptiles, and FishThese categories represent the breadth of Solomon's understanding of the natural world, indicating his God-given wisdom extended beyond human affairs to all creation. Teaching Points Wisdom from GodSolomon's wisdom was a gift from God. We should seek wisdom from God in all areas of life, recognizing that true understanding comes from Him. Appreciation of CreationSolomon's knowledge of nature encourages us to appreciate and study God's creation, seeing His hand in the world around us. Humility in KnowledgeDespite Solomon's vast knowledge, he remained a servant of God. We should remain humble, acknowledging that our understanding is limited compared to God's infinite wisdom. Stewardship of CreationUnderstanding and appreciating nature should lead us to be good stewards of the environment, caring for it as part of God's creation. Balance in LifeSolomon's interest in diverse subjects suggests the importance of a balanced life, where we cultivate various interests and skills, all under the guidance of God's wisdom. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Solomon's knowledge of nature reflect the wisdom that God granted him, and how can we seek similar wisdom in our lives? 2. In what ways can we see God's character and attributes through the study of nature, as Solomon did? 3. How does the contrast between the cedar and the hyssop in this verse teach us about the value of both great and small things in God's creation? 4. What practical steps can we take to become better stewards of God's creation, inspired by Solomon's understanding of the natural world? 5. How can we apply the principle of seeking wisdom in diverse areas of life, as Solomon did, to our personal and spiritual growth? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 1The creation account highlights God's sovereignty over all creation, which Solomon's knowledge reflects. His understanding of nature echoes the order and design established by God. Psalm 104This psalm praises God for His creation, similar to how Solomon's wisdom and knowledge of nature reflect the glory of God's handiwork. Matthew 6:26-30Jesus speaks of God's care for creation, using examples from nature. Solomon's wisdom in understanding nature can remind us of God's provision and care. People Abda, Abel, Abiathar, Abinadab, Adoniram, Ahiah, Ahijah, Ahilud, Ahimaaz, Ahinadab, Ahishar, Amorites, Argob, Asher, Azariah, Baana, Baanah, Basmath, Ben, Benaiah, Benjamin, Calcol, Chalcol, Dan, Darda, Dekar, Elah, Elihoreph, Elon, Ethan, Geber, Hanan, Heman, Hepher, Hesed, Hur, Hushai, Iddo, Issachar, Jair, Jehoiada, Jehoshaphat, Jezreel, Mahol, Manasseh, Naphtali, Nathan, Og, Paruah, Shimei, Shisha, Sihon, Solomon, Taphath, Uri, Zabud, ZadokPlaces Abel-meholah, Argob, Arubboth, Bashan, Bealoth, Beersheba, Beth-shan, Beth-shemesh, Dan, Egypt, Elonbeth-hanan, Euphrates River, Gaza, Gilead, Hepher, Jerusalem, Jezreel, Jokmeam, Lebanon, Mahanaim, Makaz, Megiddo, Naphath-dor, Ramoth-gilead, Shaalbim, Socoh, Taanach, Tiphsah, ZarethanTopics Animals, Beasts, Birds, Cattle, Cedar, Cedar-tree, Creeping, Fish, Fishes, Fowl, Fowls, Grows, Hanging, Hyssop, Lebanon, Plant, Plants, Reptiles, Sayings, Spake, Speaketh, Spoke, Springeth, Springs, Taught, Tree, Trees, Wall, WallsDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 4:33 4402 plants
4424 cedar
4470 hyssop
4528 trees
4642 fish 1 Kings 4:29-34 3050 Holy Spirit, wisdom
5366 king
8367 wisdom, importance of 1 Kings 4:32-34 5387 leisure, pastimes Library The Great Gain of Godliness
'And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon. 26. And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. 27. And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing. 28. Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureWhether He who Raises the Unworthy to Orders Commits a Sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that he who raises the unworthy to orders commits no sin. For a bishop needs assistants appointed to the lesser offices. But he would be unable to find them in sufficient number, if he were to require of them such qualifications as the saints enumerate. Therefore if he raise some who are not qualified, he would seem to be excusable. Objection 2: Further, the Church needs not only ministers for the dispensation of things spiritual, but also for the supervision of temporalities. …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Vengeance Should be Taken on those who have Sinned Involuntarily?
Objection 1: It seems that vengeance should be taken on those who have sinned involuntarily. For the will of one man does not follow from the will of another. Yet one man is punished for another, according to Ex. 20:5, "I am . . . God . . . jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation." Thus for the sin of Cham, his son Chanaan was curse (Gn. 9:25) and for the sin of Giezi, his descendants were struck with leprosy (4 Kings 5). Again the blood …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Stedfastness in the Old Paths.
"Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."--Jer. vi. 16. Reverence for the old paths is a chief Christian duty. We look to the future indeed with hope; yet this need not stand in the way of our dwelling on the past days of the Church with affection and deference. This is the feeling of our own Church, as continually expressed in the Prayer Book;--not to slight what has gone before, …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII Adam and Zaretan, Joshua 3
I suspect a double error in some maps, while they place these two towns in Perea; much more, while they place them at so little a distance. We do not deny, indeed, that the city Adam was in Perea; but Zaretan was not so. Of Adam is mention, Joshua 3:16; where discourse is had of the cutting-off, or cutting in two, the waters of Jordan, that they might afford a passage to Israel; The waters rose up upon a heap afar off in Adam. For the textual reading "In Adam," the marginal hath "From Adam." You …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Typified in the Lives of Joseph and Solomon.
In the Old Testament there are numerous references to the Second Coming of Christ, references both direct and typical, but in every instance it was His return to the earth which was in view. The secret coming of Christ into the air, to catch up the saints to Himself, was an event quite unknown to the Old Testament prophets, an event kept secret until revealed by God to the apostle Paul who, when writing to the Corinthians upon this particular aspect of our subject, said, "Behold, I show you a mystery …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return Perhaps There is no Book Within the Whole Canon of Scripture So Perplexing and Anomalous...
Perhaps there is no book within the whole canon of Scripture so perplexing and anomalous, at first sight, as that entitled "Ecclesiastes." Its terrible hopelessness, its bold expression of those difficulties with which man is surrounded on every side, the apparent fruitlessness of its quest after good, the unsatisfactory character, from a Christian standpoint, of its conclusion: all these points have made it, at one and the same time, an enigma to the superficial student of the Word, and the arsenal …
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs The Care of the Soul Urged as the one Thing Needful
Luke 10:42 -- "But one thing is needful." It was the amiable character of our blessed Redeemer, that "he went about doing good," this great motive, which animated all his actions, brought him to the house of his friend Lazarus, at Bethany, and directed his behavior there. Though it was a season of recess from public labor, our Lord brought the sentiments and the pious cares of a preacher of righteousness into the parlor of a friend; and there his doctrine dropped as the rain, and distilled as the …
George Whitefield—Selected Sermons of George Whitefield The Spiced Wine of My Pomegranate;
OR, THE COMMUNION OF COMMUNICATION. I would cause Thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate."--Song of Solomon viii. 2.And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace."--John i. 16. THE SPICED WINE OF MY POMEGRANATE. THE immovable basis of communion having been laid of old in the eternal union which subsisted between Christ and His elect, it only needed a fitting occasion to manifest itself in active development. The Lord Jesus had for ever delighted Himself with the …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come A vision of Judgement and Cleansing
'And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 2. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? 3. Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the Angel. 4. And He answered and spake unto those that stood before Him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him He said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible The Poetical Books (Including Also Ecclesiastes and Canticles).
1. The Hebrews reckon but three books as poetical, namely: Job, Psalms, and Proverbs, which are distinguished from the rest by a stricter rhythm--the rhythm not of feet, but of clauses (see below, No. 3)--and a peculiar system of accentuation. It is obvious to every reader that the poetry of the Old Testament, in the usual sense of the word, is not restricted to these three books. But they are called poetical in a special and technical sense. In any natural classification of the books of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 4:33 NIV1 Kings 4:33 NLT1 Kings 4:33 ESV1 Kings 4:33 NASB1 Kings 4:33 KJV
1 Kings 4:33 Commentaries
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